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She follows me tentatively, eyeing my high crystal chandelier, the streaked white tile floors. It annoys me that she’s leaving footprints all over the place – but that’s on me. OCD can be a real issue sometimes. What’s worse, I have to keep my shoes on in case we have to make a move.

“This is the office. The second office. Thethirdoffice.” I show her each of my bare-bones rooms equipped with heavy duty VPNs and computer equipment. I manage two strip joints, an escort service, and three fine dining restaurants. When I say manage – I fucking own them. Each business segment needs a room. Different headspace for different duties.

“You’re weirder than I pegged you for.” She grimaces. “But clean, at least.”

Hmph.

We head up the stairs to the second floor.

“Careful, those marble stairs can be slippery.” I point, and she blushes. Every part of me wants to backtrack and say something nasty, but I let it go. “This is my room.” I present a queen size bed with one dresser, a lamp, and room-darkener blinds.

“Like a vampire.” She grimaces again, but nods when I eye her. “Acleanvampire.” She claps. “Very clean. Okay, where’s the guest bedroom?” She looks around hopefully. “Where am I staying?”

I clench my jaw and point to my room. “You there. I’ll take the couch.”

“What? You only haveonebedroom, in a ten room house?”

“One bathroom too. I had the others converted into storage.” I arc an eyebrow.

“You are a sick individual. I’ll bet you removed the double-sink too.”

My glare lingers on her, and she pretends to faint. “I wasn’t expecting guests,” I say through tight lips.

“Clearly.” She rolls up the shade in my room to a breathtaking view of Manhattan. “So you kick every woman out the next morning? It’s not very friendly in here.”

“Sometimes the same night.”

She pretends to gag, then starts ripping my sheets off the bed.

“Yo!”I grab the other side of my comforter to stop her. “They’re clean!”

“Nuh uh. These need to be burned if I’m going to be staying here.”

“What?”

“Get a black light and I’ll show you, Trino.Stripper juice and glitter.Sometimes it’s invisible.”

I shake my head. “What the fuck did I get myself into?”

Chapter 7

Cipriana

Waking up the next morning in a stranger’s house makes me panic for a second. Then when I remember whose it is, I freak out more that there’s a drool strain on his pillow.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

While running into the bathroom to wet a tissue and dab it, I recall last night.

He didn’t even flinch about giving me his room – said he’d need to keep watch at the front door in case there’s any trouble. I haven’t felt a sense of warmth like that… well… ever. Before bed, he assured me the bodies were moved successfully, and that Dad is okay somewhere far out of reach. Everything thereafter was business call after business call. Not only does this guy not sleep, but he ownsstrip clubs?God, I wish sound didn’t carry so well in here.

After I take some time freshening up, I’m careful to tiptoe out of my room. I mean,hisroom. Being in the same clothes as yesterday ensures I’ll keep my distance from Trino, because, you know,smell. But I still need to know what happens next.

Am I a prisoner here until further notice? Or do I get transported out of state?

When I get to the balcony at the top of the stairs, my breath catches in my chest. He’s lying flat on the couch with his legs crossed – six pack abs out in the open, framed by all sorts of dark tattoos. Skulls, dragons, knives. You name it, it’s on him. The way his neck muscles remain flexed even when he’s relaxed shows how much strength he’s packing. My eyes linger toward his boxer-briefs, confirming everything I thought about that bulge yesterday.

A part of me wishes I hadn’t stopped him. What would it be like to sleep with a man as hot as that? Maybe I’d actually finish for once.